Experimental drug AR-42 tested on brain tumors – early results uncertain

NCT ID NCT02282917

Terminated Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-phase trial tested the drug AR-42 in 7 adults with vestibular schwannoma or meningioma brain tumors who were already scheduled for surgery. Participants took AR-42 pills for about 3 weeks before their operation. The main goal was to see if the drug could lower a protein called p-AKT inside the tumors. The study was terminated early, so the findings are very limited.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: AR-42 (a histone deacetylase inhibitor)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a new drug treatment for these brain tumors, potentially reducing the need for surgery.
What could go wrong: This was a very early, small study (only 7 people) that was terminated, so results are limited. The drug may not work in humans as hoped, and side effects are not well understood.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

acoustic neuroma meningioma Neurilemmoma Neurofibromatosis 2 NF2-related schwannomatosis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ACOUSTIC NEUROMA MENINGIOMA NEUROFIBROMATOSIS TYPE 2 VESTIBULAR SCHWANNOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
Massachusetts Eye and Ear

Boston, Massachusetts, 02214, United States
Mayo Clinic

Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States
Stanford University

Stanford, California, 94305, United States

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